I'm not sure it's a good Idea making these available, as it effectivly hands MS a stick to beat us with. Also, I'm very happy with the Deja-Vu and Bitstream fonts, and I wouldn't like to see these projects loose users as a result.

IMO, Ubuntu shouldn't include any sotware that clearly has patent problems associated with it. Granted, you could argue that most sotftware has patent problems, but this is more due to the inadequacy of existing patent laws which allow a form of 'patent trolling'. I think a distinction must be made in this case as MS created and patented this software for it's own use, and so has an undeniable and absolute right to do whatever it wants with it.

From what I understand, the MS Fonts are freely available for download from non-MS sites, however they may only be distributed if you have a license from MS. Basically, although it's inconvenient to enable, MS can't use this as a club in the future.

//From what I understand, the MS Fonts are freely available for download from non-MS sites, however they may only be distributed if you have a license from MS.//

I don't believe even that is required. AFAIK, MS originally distributed these TTF fonts in .cab or .exe format at a time when only Windows systems could deal with .cab or .exe, and only Windows systems could use TTF fonts anyway. AFAIK, MS stipulated no restrictions on the fonts other than that they had to be re-distributed in their original form only.

MS gave them in this form to sourceforge, after all.

At one point (quite early on), MS actually were interested in web interoperability. They have changed their tune since.

I think the opposite is true. Including stuff that people want is imperative. If at some stage Patent issues or Copyright comes into play then with a greater audience that is using Ubuntu there will be a greater understanding of how FUBAR the whole software industry is in those respects.

It might lead to then seeing people who have become accustomed to Ubuntu as an OS stick with it but tell the Law and MS to f-off. At the end of the day it is the sum of all the little people who pull the weight not a corporation. If enough little people band together then there is one hell of a voice to contend with.